Despite playing the lowest team in the division, the Warriors eighth win did not come easily at first. While they dominated play for much of the match, Apache were on their heels for the first five minutes, even giving up an indirect free kick right outside the box just minutes in. But when the squad finally settled into their passing game and started to generate chances, a goal did come, with lead scorer Nick Midulla boosting his season's tally to 10 at the 22-minute mark.
From that point Apache ran the field, with only a copious amount of questionable offside calls from the sideline official stopping the team from recording more goals before the halftime whistle. On the defensive side, the return of Ger McManus and Sammy Xaylitdet kept United FA stalled in midfield.
The second half saw more of the same, with the Warriors racking up some inexplicable offside calls (yes ... the play is supposed to be called based on when the ball is struck). But Apache overcame the odds with Mike Lewis netting three goals in just under three minutes around the 80-minute mark.
The 4-0 win leaves Apache with a respectable 25 points on the season with one game remaining. The Warriors will play division leaders Hollywood United a third time June 21 at John Ferraro with a 7 PM kickoff, having split their first two meetings with a win a piece (3-1, 0-1).
Then Apache will play Los Andes in the Cup quarterfinals, June 28 at John Ferraro (7 PM start) with the winner facing the top seed first round winner from the Tuesday Red Division in semi-final action July 5 at Griffith Park. The Cup finals are set for July 12 at Griffith Park (7:30 PM start).
UPDATE:
With Hollywood United taking their 10th win last night, 4-0 over Santiagueno, they have now won the Tuesday Over-30s Blue Division. Apache FC finishes second and Los Andes third ... no matter what the results in the regular season's final matches next week. Only the fourth and final playoff spot is up for grabs with Dinamo Lokomotiv only a point above the fifth-place Santiagueno. Both squads lost their matches this week, and will rely on next week's results to determine fourth-place, which will play Hollywood United in the quarterfinals.
Los Andes (4) vs Dinamo Lokomotiv (1)
Santiagueño (0) vs Hollywood United (4)
Tuesday Over-30s Blue Division Tables: click here
Tuesday Over-30s Red Division Tables: click here
In the Red Division the top five squads are separated by only four points, so the last matches of the season will determine all four playoff spots.
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